FoML's three $500 grants for 2007 were awarded to:

• Falmouth Memorial Library
  
  Textile Day: People who knit, spin, crochet, embroider, weave, rug hook, and make lace demonstrate their craft for the public. The event is free and open to the public, with lots of hands-on activities for all ages.

• Friends of Pittsfield Public Library
  
  Teen Program Featuring "Dance Dance Revolution" and Other
  Activities: a weekly after-school program for 'tweens and teens providing physical and intellectual activities.

• Waterford Library Association
  
  School/Library Pre-K Program: A family literacy program that
  will prepare Waterford children entering kindergarten in September 2008 and their parents for a smooth transition to the school year and encourage parents and children to use the library year-round.

  ***Representatives of these libraries will report on their activities under the grant at the October 6, 2008 FoML Conference***

The FoML Grant Program

More and more organizations have realized how easy it is to apply for a grant from the Friends of Maine Libraries. Here is a brief summary of the FoML grant process -

• The key to the FoML grant application is simplicity.

• We don't require detailed financial projections or testimonials.

• We are looking for innovative programs that help libraries or Friends groups accomplish what they are set up to do.

• We are particularly interested in ideas that other libraries can use if they wish, making any appropriate changes.

• We look for well-thought-out projects that are likely to be carried forward.

• Applications can be short, but should make clear what is planned and how it will be publicized. Sometimes a description is so brief it isn't possible to figure out what it really does, so that project doesn't make the cut. Sometimes there is lots of experience to tell us what the project does. (A program that is several years old can still be 'innovative.')

• We try to assess from the application whether there is real commitment to the project.

In most years we get many more intriguing projects than we can fund - we budget for three $500 grants each year.

Eligibility

The applicant organization must be a member of FoML or must apply for membership when the grant application is submitted.FoML’s member organizations are listed here. To be eligible in 2008, the applicant Friends group or its associated library must not have received a FoML grant in 2005 or later.

2008 Grant Criteria

Applications will be judged on the following four key factors:

1. Overall benefit to the community
2. Creativity and innovation
3. Leadership in creating model programs that may be replicated elsewhere
4. Cost effectiveness: creative use of resources

In evaluating applications, the 2008 Grant Review Committee will consider: the likelihood of the program’s success, the degree to which FOML grant assistance is appropriate and the level of commitment the applicants bring to the program.

• The project description should be as specific as possible.
• Applicants should describe a specific need and a target audience.
• The application should list objectives, rather than simply proposed activities.
• Programs that manage resources well and can be replicated by other Friends groups or libraries in Maine are particularly attractive.

The FoML Grant program began in 1994 with three $150 grants. The program has awarded over $18,000 in grants to Maine libraries and Friends groups for innovative programs.

	Recent FoML Grant Awards
	2001
	ANNA FIELD FERNALD LIBRARY, Detroit
	FRIENDS OF THE RICE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Kittery
	FRIENDS OF THE SCARBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY
	2002
	KING MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY, Portland
	FRIENDS OF NORWAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
	SOUTH PORTLAND BRANCH LIBRARY
	2003
	AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY
	FRIENDS OF THOMPSON FREE LIBRARY, Dover-Foxcroft
	FRIENDS OF THE OLD TOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
	2004
	RAYMOND VILLAGE LIBRARY, Raymond 2005 CANAAN PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS OF SKOWHEGAN PUBLIC LIBRARY WELLS PUBLIC LIBRARY 2006 FRIENDS OF HUBBARD FREE LIBRARY FRIENDS OF NORWAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY WALDOBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY 2007
	FALMOUTH MEMORIAL LIBRARY FRIENDS OF THE PITTSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY WATERFORD LIBRARY ASSOCIATION